Sylvia Nowlan

Sylvia A. (Frenette) Nowlan, 68, of Gardner, passed away at the UMass Medical Center, Worcester on June 10, 2021, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada April 14, 1953, daughter of the late Jeanne (Boudreau) Frenette and Julien Frenette. Sylvia entered the United States with her parents in May 1954. Her education began at Holy Rosary School, she graduated from Gardner High in 1971, and later earned an Associate Degree in Business from Mount Wachusett Community College. She retired from Simplex/Tyco after 35 years of employment. She also worked as a bar tender at the Napoleon Club.   Sylvia traveled widely, and had several travel partners within her large circle of friends. They cruised the Caribbean, fondly toured Europe, delighted in exotic destinations, and visited casinos. Sylvia found sight-seeing from helicopters exhilarating. She felt particularly fortunate to share joyous times with her granddaughter Alyson at Disney resorts. At home she preserved memories of her life and travels in numerous photo albums she compiled. Sylvia also expressed her creativity choosing color schemes for her decorative ceramic pieces and producing patterned crocheted goods. A lifelong reader and voracious consumer of books, she was well known at the Levi Heywood Library. Sylvia took pride in being a naturalized United States citizen, and was a longtime member of American Legion Post 129. Besides her father Julien, Sylvia leaves two sons, Tim of California, Kevin of Gardner; her beloved granddaughter Alyson Nowlan; a brother, Robert “Fritz” Frenette, a sister Janice Miller, husband Mike, nephew Tom, all of Gardner; a niece Kristin Littlepage, husband Tom, grandniece Lyra and grandnephew Logan of Lunenburg. Sylvia’s family extends a very special and heartfelt thank you to the many devoted friends and relatives who generously expended their time and energy in meeting Sylvia’s transportation, home supply, and personal needs. Most importantly, your selfless work enabled Sylvia to retain her sense of dignity. You lightened her burden and ours. And of course, to the many dedicated doctors, nurses, technicians, and other health care professionals of Heywood Hospital, UMass Medical, Gardner Rehab, Home Care, Wood’s Ambulance and whomever we missed. Thank you very much. At Sylvia’s request, no calling hours or funeral service will be held. A Celebration of Life will take place in the future, with the date and location to be announced.